Effect of chitin on nonwoven fabric implant in tendon healing

In 12 sheep (24 forelimbs), a 12 mm section of flexor digitorum superficialis tendon was removed. The tendons were repaired with (1) suture only (control group, n = 8), (2) suture plus implanted nonwoven polyester fiber (NWF group, n = 8), and (3) suture plus implanted nonwoven fiber and chitin complex (CP group, n = 8). All tendons were immobilized for 6 weeks. Macroscopic and histomorphometric evaluations were performed on two limbs from each treatment group in weeks 1, 3, 6, and 12. Macroscopic findings showed no significant differences among the three groups in any parameters. At the implant area, histomorphometry indicated that immature and intermediate fibroplasia was significantly greater in the CP group compared to the NWF group in week I and in weeks 3 and 6, respectively. In the area surrounding the implant, there were no significant differences among the three groups. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.